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With Sergio Aguero not yet recovered from a groin injury and Carlos Tevez training in isolated exile, in-form Mario Balotelli is likely to keep his place in the City side alongside the returning attacking triumvirate of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko.

Villarreal are without striker Nilmar for the foreseeable future after the Brazilian underwent an operation on a cyst in his right knee, and with Marco Ruben also a serious doubt through injury, Giuseppe Rossi is likely to start up front on his own.

Borja Valero, who returns from suspension after missing the first two matches, is likely to be employed just behind the Italian.

Silva insists City cannot afford to drop points again on Tuesday night as they aim to win their first match in the competition this season.

“This is a very important game for us – we need to get the three points or we will start to lose touch with the leading teams,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s a tough group but we are good enough to progress to the knock-out stages.

“In the Premier League we have got a lot of games under our belt and are playing really well – maybe we need to play more Champions League games before we adapt to the competition.

“Villarreal are a great side that pass the ball around and break very quickly – we will need to be on our guard or they will punish us.”

Silva also praised manager Mancini for believing in him after a difficult start to life in English football following his move from Valencia in the summer of 2010.

“I’m very grateful for the comments he’s made and the faith the manager has shown in me,” he added. “It’s very difficult when you first arrive in a new country. You have to adjust to the pace and lifestyle and it can take time, but he had patience in me and I’m very happy here at City and it is showing on the pitch when I play.”